The last supermoon of 2017
Photo courtesy of Jamell Rodway
(KMSP) - The first and last supermoon of 2017 illuminated the night sky Sunday evening.
Sunday's moon appeared to be 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual, according to NASA.
Supermoons occur when the moon is full at the point in its orbit at which it is closest to Earth. Sunday, the moon was approximately 30,000 miles closer to Earth than usual.
This is the first supermoon in a series of three. The first two full moons of 2018 will occur near the perigee, making them “super” as well.
The moon was completely full at 10:47 a.m. EST on Sunday, according to Space.com. The moon reaches perigee at 3:45 a.m. EST on Monday.